This was a better showing than usual. There was a late rally when Gareth Davies scored with Sam Whitelock in the bin, but again they ultimately lost.

That is now 30 defeats in a row against New Zealand. No win since 1953 still.

Winger Waisake Naholo touches down for the first try for New Zealand on Saturday

The All Blacks, without their first-choice front row, were too clinical. Wales wasted a number of chances and were just not good enough.

New Zealand scored five tries to Wales’ two. Scott Williams took the first Welsh one, but with Waisake Naholo and Rieko Ioane crossing for two each and Anton Lienert-Brown the other it was a familiar tale of woe for Wales.

Statistics can prove pretty futile against the All Blacks — certainly for half an hour in Cardiff the numbers failed to tell the tale.

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At that point Wales had 88 per cent territory but for all their time on the ball their attacking play was too lateral.

The All Blacks, with barely a scrap of possession, led 7-3.

That was after a stunning finish from Naholo. Ioane — dubbed ‘Lazarus’ after his comeback of biblical proportions, having been officially ruled out on Monday with a shoulder injury — started it with a cutting break in midfield.

He scythed past Steff Evans and was away, feeding Aaron Smith.

As the Welsh defence rallied he checked back and floated a wonderful pass to the right wing and Naholo then leapt, with the ball in his right hand, into the corner.

Rieko Ioane seals victory as the All Blacks ended their European tour in winning fashion

With the Beauden Barrett conversion the All Blacks had cancelled out an early Leigh Halfpenny penalty and were at their clinical best.

It was a brutal opening to the Test — after 19 minutes three players had been permanently substituted.

Rhys Webb suffered a horrible blow to the head and fell over twice trying to get himself back in the Welsh line — it looked awful and certainly as if he had been concussed. Those thoughts were confirmed when Davies replaced him and stayed on.

Next to fall was Jake Ball, writhing in agony with what looked like a dislocated shoulder. He was carried off on a stretcher after a lengthy delay. Cory Hill came on.

In the same minute Ryan Crotty also departed with Lienert-Brown his replacement.

Scott Williams marked his 50th cap in style by scoring a try just before the break

After the New Zealand try and all those substitutions Halfpenny missed a shot at goal but made up for it by hitting the next when Kane Hames and Patrick Tuipulotu cynically blocked Evans. Wales were back within a point, but not for long.

Smith tapped a penalty — the third to be run by the All Blacks in quick succession as they hammered the Welsh line — and found Sonny Bill Williams.

The centre crashed it up and after the ruck, one pass found Naholo again on the right wing. It was the same outcome.

But having butchered a number of chances, the clearest when Taulupe Faletau dropped one over the line and Liam Williams fumbled out wide, Wales finally scored one.

Hallam Amos picked a gap and sped away. He was hauled down but Wales had numbers on the left and used them. Dan Biggar passed to Scott Williams who scored. Halfpenny’s missed conversion ended the first half but at least Wales trailed only by a point.

Williams celebrates scoring Wales' first try with Dan Biggar at the Principality Stadium

After the break there was no score until two minutes before the hour but with long, sustained passages of relentless action, both sides playing well and seemingly never infringing, it was hard to take your eyes away.

What ended the scoreless time felt like the killer blow.

Ioane found a little space on the left and it took three Welshmen to take him down. The ball bobbled out of the ruck straight into the hands of Lienert-Brown who scooped up and ran it in under the posts. Barrett converted and Wales were staring defeat in the face.

Wales forward Jake Bell was forced off with a dislocated shoulder in the first half

Then it really was over. Ioane intercepted Biggar’s wide pass intended for Amos and ran in the Kiwi’s fourth. Game over. Again.

Or was it? Wales certainly did not think so when captain Whitelock was sent to the sin-bin after the All Blacks gave away a succession of penalties on their line. From the resulting scrum Wales went left and Davies scored.

Halfpenny’s conversion meant they now needed two scores in 10 minutes to end their Kiwi curse. But when Ioane scored again and Barrett converted, that turned out the lights.

The Cardiff night was All Black once more.

PLAYER RATINGS

Leigh Halfpenny If he had kicked the conversion at the end of the first-half Wales would have gone into the break in front. Ran the ball more than usual and made lots of useful yards. 6.5

Tackles 1 Runs 16 Metres 67

Hallam Amos Cost his side a try when he put down a pass, but then made amends with a brilliant break that led to the Scott Williams score. More concentration needed at this level. 6

Tackles 0 Runs 12 Metres 89

Scott Williams Marked his 50th cap with a sensational try – his 11th for Wales - and proved he still has a big future at this level despite being left out of the squad at the start of the series. 8

Tackles 6 Runs 161 Metres 26

Owen Williams The find of the autumn for Wales, he is turning into a brilliant playmaker alongside Biggar. Played his part in the first try and looks so comfortable at this level. 8

Tackles 9 Runs 10 Metres 15

Steffan Evans Bright future ahead of him, but still has a lot to learn. Will have nightmares about Naholo, but is going to be a great option for Wales in the Six Nations. 5.5

Tackles 4 Runs 9 Metres 27

Dan Biggar Still a huge player for Wales and now only one cap short of the magical 60 mark to qualify bext season when he heads to Northampton. Put Amos though the hole for the first try and varied his game superbly. 8

Tackles 7 Runs 7 Metres 22

Rhys Webb Only lasted nine minutes before he went off with an unfortunate head injury. Gareth Davies did great job as his replacement and also scored a try. 6 Tackles 0 Runs 3 Metres 1

Rob Evans Fast developing into a world class prop and his handling skills are now right up there with the best front five forwards around. Good signs for the future now he is fully fit. 7.5

Tackles 5 Runs 13 Metres 21

Ken Owens Ran and ran at the black brick wall and ma aged to make more than a few dents. Linked well with Scarlets team mate Evans and is a real catalyst in attack. 7

Tackles 9 Runs 12 Metres 6

Tomas Francis Adding more and more to his game as he develops. Was under pressure at scrum time on occasion but generally another strong showing. 6.5

Tackles 10 Runs 4 Metres 0

Jake Ball Unfortunate to dislocated his shoulder in the first half and had to be replaced by Cory Hill, who came on to prove to be a more than useful replacement. 5.5

Tackles 0 Runs 15 Metres 2

Alun Wyn Jones (captain) Worked his socks off from start to finish and almost inspired a famous Welsh fightback. Pulled off a sensational tackle on Sonny Bill Williams to save a certain try. 8

Tackles 9 Runs 9 Metres 12

Aaron Shingler Proved he can be as effective in a tight game as in a free-flowing affair. Learned a lot this autumn and looks as though he is here to stay this time in the Wales squad. 7

Tackles 9 Runs 8 Metres 5

Josh Navidi Magnificent first half and once again the chief ball carrier for Wales. Waited a long time for his chance in the side and grabbed opportunity with both hands. One of the finds of the autumn for Wales. 8

Tackles 14 Runs 14 Metres 37

Taulupe Faletau World class showing form the Lions No 8 as he gave the All Blacks’ back row plenty to deal with. Where would Wales be without his consistency? 8.5